Vacuum hose storage system

Abstract

A vacuum hose storage system comprises a vacuum unit, a storage tube, and a vacuum hose. The vacuum unit is fluidly connected to the storage tube, and is operable to generate a partial vacuum within the storage tube. The vacuum hose can be draw in into the storage tube by the partial vacuum. The vacuum hose can be removed from the storage tube and connected to an inlet to provide a partial vacuum within the vacuum hose.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vacuum hose storage system comprising:
 a storage structure defining an upper section and a lower section; 
 a vacuum unit supported within the upper section of the storage structure; 
 a storage tube; and 
 a vacuum hose; 
 wherein: 
 the storage tube is arranged to define
 a first portion comprising first, second, third, and fourth side portions, where the first portion is arranged at a first vertical level, 
 a second portion comprising first, second, third, and fourth side portions, where the second portion is arranged at the first vertical level, and 
 a third portion arranged at a second vertical level, where the storage tube is configured such that 
 the first, second, and third portions of the storage tube are arranged within the lower section of the storage structure, 
 the first vertical level is below the second vertical level, and 
 the second portion is at least partly surround by the first portion; 
 
 the vacuum unit is fluidly connected to the storage tube; 
 the vacuum unit is operable to generate a partial vacuum within the storage tube; and 
 the vacuum hose can be drawn into the storage tube by the partial vacuum within the storage tube. 
 
     
     
       2. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  wherein the storage structure is a cabinet. 
     
     
       3. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 2  wherein the cabinet is a kitchen cabinet. 
     
     
       4. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  wherein the storage structure is a cabinet, and the storage tube is behind a kickboard of the cabinet. 
     
     
       5. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  wherein the storage structure is a rolling cart. 
     
     
       6. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 5  wherein the portable cart comprises a plurality of wheels. 
     
     
       7. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  further comprising a vacpan, wherein:
 the vacpan comprises an opening in a wall, cabinet, kickboard, or the like; 
 opening is substantially at floor level; and 
 the vacpan is fluidly connected to the vacuum unit such that the vacuum unit is operable to generate a partial vacuum within the vacpan. 
 
     
     
       8. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  further comprising a cap, wherein the cap is attachable to one end of the vacuum hose to create a substantially airtight seal. 
     
     
       9. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  wherein the first and third side portions of the first and second side portions of the first and second portions of the storage tube are straight and the second and fourth side portions of the first and second portions of the storage tube are curved. 
     
     
       10. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  wherein the storage tube comprises PVC piping. 
     
     
       11. A vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 10  wherein the PVC piping is joined by male-female connections. 
     
     
       12. A method for retrofitting a cabinet with a central vacuum cleaner, the method comprising installing the vacuum hose storage system according to  claim 1  within a cabinet, and installing the storage tube within the lower section of the cabinet. 
     
     
       13. A vacuum hose storage system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the storage tube comprises a fourth portion, where the fourth portion of the storage tube:
 defines a tube opening, and 
 the fourth portion of the storage tube is at least partly arranged within the upper section of the storage structure such that the tube opening is accessible at a front portion of the storage structure above the lower section of the storage structure. 
 
     
     
       14. A vacuum hose storage system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the first and second portions of the storage tube takes the form of a loop. 
     
     
       15. A vacuum hose storage system as recited in  claim 14 , in which the first and second portions of the storage tube are both at least one of running track shaped, oval shaped, circular shaped, and spiral shaped. 
     
     
       16. A vacuum hose storage system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the storage tube defines at least one curved portion, where a curvature of the curved portion is predetermined to allow smooth insertion and withdrawal of the vacuum hose from the storage tube.